Photo: Facebook/DepEd Philippines
Amid calls for an academic freeze or the suspension of classes, the Department of Education responded by referring to such a move as a “shortsighted” position.
In a virtual press briefing, DepEd Undersecretary Nepomuceno Malaluan said the education bureau dismisses such calls as these go against DepEd’s goal of promoting learning continuity.
“This position is shortsighted as it does not take into consideration the trade-off of prolonged interruption,” said Malaluan. Malaluan also pointed out the number of learners that have already enrolled for the 2020-2021 school year. In response to the allegations of the academic freeze’s proponents, he noted that apart from online learning, other modalities would be used for the delivery of education.
The hashtag #AcademicFreezeNOW has been a trending topic on Twitter, with netizens airing out their challenges with distance learning. “Our singular focus is to ensure safe learning resumption by October 5 through distance and blended learning,” said Malaluan.
In August, the Department of Education moved the opening of classes from August 24 to October 5, in a bid to respond to the implications of having a modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) enforced in Metro Manila and in certain provinces. The time freed up will be used by DepEd to “provide relief to logistical limitations” by areas under the MECQ.
Earlier, DepEd reassured the public that blended learning dry runs and simulations are being carried out in various school divisions offices (SDOs) and regional offices (ROs).
